Daily economy news from the American Institute for Economic Research: data, stories, research, and articles touching on economics, politics, culture, education, policy, opinion, technology, markets, healthcare, regulation, trends, and much more.

AIER’s Editorial Policy.

Business Conditions Monthly February 2024

“Amidst mixed economic data reminiscent of most of the past two years, there are pockets of strength which are nevertheless overshadowed by inflation concerns and speculation regarding monetary policy actions in the coming quarter or two.” ~Peter C. Earle

Elon’s X Marks the Spot in Brazil

“Brazil is facing its greatest struggle for freedom of speech since the end of the military regime… Freedom of speech has been effectively limited without due process, and contrary to the Constitution.” ~Ricardo Gomes

Why Haven’t We Whipped inflation Yet?

“The best we can do is recalibrate models when we get new data. But that’s like driving the car while looking out the rearview window…hardly ideal for knowing how to adjust your steering.” ~Alexander W. Salter

Nippon Acquisition of US Steel 

“Despite its shrunken condition, the Japanese suitor looks to infuse new life into this former behemoth with an infusion of cash, technology, and vision. Blocking this acquisition will result in losses to shareholders, workers, and our economy.” ~Joel Griffith

ESG Puppeteers

“Climate financiers are not capitalists. They are corporatists who think the government should direct private industry. They want to work with government officials to benefit themselves and hamstring their competition.” ~ Paul Mueller

The Colorblind Counterattack

“How on earth could the ideas of Frederick Douglass and MLK find themselves labeled ‘white supremacist’? Two authors have shaken off the shellshock, and now stand ready to fight back.” ~GianCarlo​​​​ Canaparo

The Justice of an All-Volunteer Military

“A person who voluntarily enlists in the military obviously believes that that employment option is the best one for him or her. In exchange for his or her performance of military duties, that soldier or sailor is paid.” ~Donald J. Boudreaux

Inflation We Can Feel But Don’t Measure

“Regardless of whether one thinks that the CPI should include interest rates and/or asset prices, it seems clear that consumers factor in these costs when evaluating the cost of living.” ~Joshua R. Hendrickson

Business Schools Undermine Wealth Creation

“Universities promote an obsession with social impact that ignores the vital social impact already accomplished by the realm of private enterprise.” ~Kimberlee Josephson

Another Dismal Tax Day: Can It Drive Fiscal Reform?

“The pain and uncertainty from an ever-changing federal progressive marginal individual income tax system with forced withholding and payment or refund later are destructive.” ~Vance Ginn

‘Shock Values’: An Idiosyncratic Economic History

“While it provides a concise accounting of the many efforts taken to address inflation and deflation over the history of the republic, there is a cost to recounting such a rich history in so few pages.” ~Paul H. Kupiec

Economic Development is not a Zero-Sum Game 

“By equating profit-making, as such, with evidence of greed and immorality, [the Vatican] perpetuates the harmful zero-sum mentality of mercantilism and socialism. ” ~John C. Pinheiro

How the US Treasury Induced a New Era of Swiss Monetary Policy

“Central bankers are told that their domestic monetary policy obligations…must be balanced with or even subjugated to currency management practices that accommodate American exporters and competitors more broadly.” ~Mariana F. Trujillo and Peter C. Earle

The Middleman Is a Public Servant

“Letting people make their own choices is an important part of respecting one another as free equals… We don’t help people by prohibiting the choices they actually make.” ~Art Carden

Business Conditions Monthly February 2024

“Amidst mixed economic data reminiscent of most of the past two years, there are pockets of strength which are nevertheless overshadowed by inflation concerns and speculation regarding monetary policy actions in the coming quarter or two.” ~Peter C. Earle

Elon’s X Marks the Spot in Brazil

“Brazil is facing its greatest struggle for freedom of speech since the end of the military regime… Freedom of speech has been effectively limited without due process, and contrary to the Constitution.” ~Ricardo Gomes

Why Haven’t We Whipped inflation Yet?

“The best we can do is recalibrate models when we get new data. But that’s like driving the car while looking out the rearview window…hardly ideal for knowing how to adjust your steering.” ~Alexander W. Salter

Nippon Acquisition of US Steel 

“Despite its shrunken condition, the Japanese suitor looks to infuse new life into this former behemoth with an infusion of cash, technology, and vision. Blocking this acquisition will result in losses to shareholders, workers, and our economy.” ~Joel Griffith

ESG Puppeteers

“Climate financiers are not capitalists. They are corporatists who think the government should direct private industry. They want to work with government officials to benefit themselves and hamstring their competition.” ~ Paul Mueller

The Colorblind Counterattack

“How on earth could the ideas of Frederick Douglass and MLK find themselves labeled ‘white supremacist’? Two authors have shaken off the shellshock, and now stand ready to fight back.” ~GianCarlo​​​​ Canaparo

The Justice of an All-Volunteer Military

“A person who voluntarily enlists in the military obviously believes that that employment option is the best one for him or her. In exchange for his or her performance of military duties, that soldier or sailor is paid.” ~Donald J. Boudreaux

Inflation We Can Feel But Don’t Measure

“Regardless of whether one thinks that the CPI should include interest rates and/or asset prices, it seems clear that consumers factor in these costs when evaluating the cost of living.” ~Joshua R. Hendrickson

Business Schools Undermine Wealth Creation

“Universities promote an obsession with social impact that ignores the vital social impact already accomplished by the realm of private enterprise.” ~Kimberlee Josephson

Another Dismal Tax Day: Can It Drive Fiscal Reform?

“The pain and uncertainty from an ever-changing federal progressive marginal individual income tax system with forced withholding and payment or refund later are destructive.” ~Vance Ginn

‘Shock Values’: An Idiosyncratic Economic History

“While it provides a concise accounting of the many efforts taken to address inflation and deflation over the history of the republic, there is a cost to recounting such a rich history in so few pages.” ~Paul H. Kupiec

Economic Development is not a Zero-Sum Game 

“By equating profit-making, as such, with evidence of greed and immorality, [the Vatican] perpetuates the harmful zero-sum mentality of mercantilism and socialism. ” ~John C. Pinheiro

How the US Treasury Induced a New Era of Swiss Monetary Policy

“Central bankers are told that their domestic monetary policy obligations…must be balanced with or even subjugated to currency management practices that accommodate American exporters and competitors more broadly.” ~Mariana F. Trujillo and Peter C. Earle

The Middleman Is a Public Servant

“Letting people make their own choices is an important part of respecting one another as free equals… We don’t help people by prohibiting the choices they actually make.” ~Art Carden